Rep. Roybal-Allard Celebrates South LA’s Promise Zone Designation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) was at Los Angeles Trade Technical College to celebrate the announcement that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has designated South Los Angeles as a Promise Zone. The designation means that the federal government will help South LA leaders implement a comprehensive strategy to create jobs and educational opportunities, reduce violent crime, and strengthen the local economy.

This help will be provided through access to grantee networks, preference points, technical assistance, and additional benefits from a range of federal programs. Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, who represents part of South LA, has worked with Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), the South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z) collaborative, and other local leaders for nearly two years to advocate for a Promise Zone designation for South LA. She was joined at today’s announcement by Congresswoman Bass, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, HUD Deputy Secretary Nani Coloretti, and leaders of the SLATE-Z collaborative.

“This Promise Zone designation will bring substantial and urgently needed economic benefits to South Los Angeles. Businesses, families, workers, and students will be able to find new opportunities and follow their dreams. Representative Bass and I appreciate that HUD heard our concerns that the criteria in previous Promise Zone rounds disadvantaged South LA, and responded by giving SLATE-Z’s application the serious consideration it deserves,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “The SLATE-Z coalition represents South LA at its best. This effective collaborative works hard to ensure that our community gets the resources it needs to become the vibrant and prosperous place we all know it can be. As we celebrate this milestone, there is still much to be done. I will keep fighting for additional federal resources for the South Los Angeles area, and look forward to continuing my partnership with the SLATE-Z collaborative to keep making South LA a better place to live and work.”

The new South LA Promise Zone is home to nearly 198,000 residents, and includes portions of the neighborhoods of Vernon-Central, South Park, Florence, Exposition Park, Vermont Square, Leimert Park, and a small portion of Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw. The community is now one of thirteen urban Promise Zones in the nation, and Los Angeles is the only city to have two designations within its city boundaries.

SLATE-Z’s effort to obtain the Promise Zone designation for South LA has received strong support from Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, Congresswoman Bass, and many other leaders, including Mayor Garcetti and LA City Councilmember Curren Price. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is the lead agency in the SLATE-Z collaborative, which includes 54 formal partners and more than 50 additional allies. Members include (listed alphabetically) Brotherhood Crusade, City of Los Angeles Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Community Coalition, CD Tech, LA Chamber of Commerce, LA Urban League, LA’s Promise, Los Angeles Unified School District, Move LA, Cal State Dominguez Hills, UCLA, and University of Southern California, among others. The collaborative work of the partnership was made possible with funding support from (listed alphabetically) the California Endowment, LA n Sync, Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation, and Weingart Foundation.

Contact
Ben Soskin ((202) 225-1766)